Make these Meliá hotels the ones to experience in Punta Cana

Are you dreaming of a picture-perfect Caribbean destination with a beautiful, palm-fringed, white sand beach and gently lapping shores on a seemingly endless coastline? Waters that are safe and inviting to swim in, but also offer numerous watersports? A popular resort that never feels too crowded? Somewhere with a laidback vibe that still manages to feel luxurious? And, a place that all the family – whatever their age – will adore? Introducing Punta Cana on the Dominican Republic’s eastern tip. The one hurdle? Working out where to stay. That’s where Meliá comes in. Meliá Caribe Beach Hotel (opening image) is a family-friendly oasis, while Meliá Punta Cana Beach is a relaxing, wellness zone for adults only. Simply pick the one that suits your style.

Meliá Caribe Beach Hotel — for family fun in the Caribbean sun

Banish any thoughts that family-friendly means bypassing luxury with a stay at Meliá Caribe Beach Hotel. With 795 renovated rooms and suites, including Family Rooms Beachside, which accommodate two adults and up to three kids, the whole clan will be spoilt for choice here. There are six swimming pools, including a lagoon-style pool that’s a dream for the whole family to swim and splash in and relax by. But if the kids are after some serious aqua-based fun, head to Splash Island Water Park, which is brimming with waterfalls and slides. Enjoy a change of scene while the youngsters are at the water park or Kids’ Club, with a visit to on-the-doorstep Bávaro Beach, where you can soak up the rays, mojito in hand. Or achieve a state of bliss at the YHI SPA, where guests will find yet another swimming pool, a Turkish bath and a whirlpool bath, plus a plethora of treatments to choose from – from pedicures and manicures to facials and sports massages. There’s also a swanky fitness centre open until 11pm, so gym lovers are well catered for, too. In fact, the only stress is likely to come at mealtimes, when it comes to deciding which of the ten restaurants to go for: should it be Capri for a sophisticated, ‘treat yourself’ meal, Alma for divine Spanish tapas or Hokkaido for incredible sushi and teppanyaki-style dishes – to name just three?

Guests can also take things up a notch with the Level experience, which provides access to exclusive restaurants, an extra pool set in the most stunning gardens, a fully equipped gym, VIP lounge, 24-hour room service and concierge service, along with much more.

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Meliá Punta Cana Beach – for a Zen wellness escape

If the focus of your stay is to totally relax and recharge in an adults-only sanctuary, then check out (and into) neighbouring Meliá Punta Cana Beach. The only wellness-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, the focus here is on wellbeing experiences and rituals that nourish the mind, body and soul, with spa treatments that use sustainable, local ingredients. As part of the wellness focus, guests can take advantage of Social Spaces to connect with other visitors who have similar interests and activities, such as yoga, meditation, group bike rides and workshops on local culture. There are also Silent Spaces for reading groups, sound healing and other quiet, meditative rituals.

The 465 spacious rooms and suites – all of which have a balcony – have been recently renovated and feature sophisticated coffee and cream shades. And if you check into The Level Wellness Suite by Stay Well, there is a host of extras to enjoy, including a welcome message from world-renowned author and speaker, Deepak Chopra. There’s a personal wellness concierge, and guests can sleep comfortably, thanks to the Stay Well™ mattress for back support, while the air purification system, Stay Well™ shower infuser and customisable circadian mood lighting contribute to that overall Zen feeling.

Extend that relaxed vibe with time in, or by, one of the four pools — or on the powder-white sands of Bávaro Beach.

Food lovers will delight in the choice of 13 restaurants, including Rumba, which serves an array of international favourites and has Insta-worthy views of the Caribbean Sea, and the superb Muoi, for East Asian and Southeast Asian classics. Meliá Punta Cana Beach operates a free-flow restaurant programme with sister property, Meliá Caribe Beach Hotel, for a real best-of-both-worlds holiday dining experience.

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British Airways Holidays are ATOL-protected, with low deposits and a 24-hour holiday helpline. Book your Punta Cana holiday at ba.com/meliacaribe or meliapuntacana.